Jiang Yanwan's head buzzed, and she almost lost her balance.
Jiang Zhenlin stepped forward, "Steward, are you mistaken? The Prince always only sent fox fur coats to my sister. After all, they..."
“Ah Lin,” Madam Lin interrupted Jiang Zhenlin, “You mustn’t be rude.”
"How could the steward have made a mistake regarding the prince's orders?"
Madam Lin promptly suppressed the dissatisfaction of the Prince's steward.
"Madam is too kind." The steward's four words, spoken lightly, struck everyone's hearts like knives once again.
He wasn't mistaken; it was a reward for Lin Qingwan.
Madam Lin gave Qin Ma a look, signaling her to stop Jiang Zhenlin from acting impulsively. She then stood in front of Jiang Yanwan and said, "Qingwan has just returned to the manor and hasn't been out yet. The Prince's reward she received two days ago was already a great favor."
The first reward had a reason, but if there is no suitable reason this time, it will inevitably arouse a lot of speculation.
More importantly, what will others think of Yan Wan?
"She dared not accept any reward without having done anything in return."
Although Lin's words made sense, she did not dare to refuse in truth, and only asked, "May I ask why Your Highness has bestowed such gifts upon Qingwan one after another?"
The steward could easily understand Madam Lin's concerns. He smiled and said, "The prince said that he and Miss Qingwan are kindred spirits."
Lin choked up, realizing it would have been better not to answer at all!
What does "having a liking for someone" even mean? Qingwan isn't a girl from a brothel; does he think he can just bestow a reward upon her because he finds her pleasing to the eye? Besides, it's Yanwan who's engaged to Prince Jing. Why ignore Yanwan and make such a big fuss about rewarding Qingwan?
Lin couldn't speak her mind, nor dared she vent her anger. These two boxes of things had become a hot potato; she couldn't keep them, nor could she refuse them.
The steward then took out two more packets of medicine, which were the very ones that the servants of the Prince's Mansion had chased after him yesterday and asked Jiang Zhenlin to bring to Lin Qingwan.
"These are two doses of nourishing herbal medicine prescribed by the imperial physician. The prince said he saw that Miss Qingwan was very thin the other day, and he hopes they will be helpful to her."
This concern is clearly inappropriate.
Lin's face grew increasingly grim. Prince Jing still harbored resentment over what happened three years ago, but... but there was no need to be so cruel as to ruin the reputations of Qingwan and Yanwan!
If she refuses, it would be tantamount to openly defying Prince Jing; if she accepts these things, the Jiang family's daughter will never have to leave the house again.
Lin felt a tightness in her chest, caught in a dilemma.
Qin Ma was worried about Lin Shi, and in a moment of inattention, Jiang Zhenlin rushed ahead. He clenched his fists to suppress his anger, and said in a deep voice, "Steward Yan, Qingwan's name is similar to my elder sister's. You must have misheard."
“Yesterday at the banquet, the prince asked about my elder sister, saying that she was thinner than before.”
"These medicines and other items were given to my sister by the Prince."
Steward Yan's face turned cold. "Is Young Master Jiang openly provoking Prince Jing?"
Such a serious crime is something Jiang Zhenlin could not afford even if he sacrificed the entire Prime Minister's residence.
He was burning with rage, but he clenched his fists tightly to control himself.
Lin was so frightened that her face turned pale, and she said in a trembling voice, "Ah Lin!"
Just as the stalemate was at its peak, Prime Minister Jiang Su returned.
Lin's tense heart suddenly relaxed, "Prime Minister!"
Jiang Su nodded to her to appease her, then glared at Jiang Zhenlin, whose arrogance vanished, and he instinctively hid behind Jiang Yanwan.
"Father." Jiang Yanwan bowed, saying nothing, but everything was in her red eyes.
Jiang Su remained calm and said, "Have Qingwan come over to express her gratitude."
Only then did Steward Yan resume his polite smile.
Ningsi Academy.
Lin Qingwan was unaware of what had happened ahead. She got up early and finished reading the Women's Instructions and Admonitions that she hadn't finished reading the day before after breakfast.
Mu Xue soaked a hot towel in water for her, "Miss, please apply this to your eyes."
Lin Qingwan couldn't resist the feeling of being cared for. "Thank you."
"It is my duty to take care of you, Miss. You always say thank you, which makes me feel too embarrassed."
Lin Qingwan replied, "Status is nothing more than a shackle that nobles use to consolidate their power. I can tell whether you are sincere or just being polite."
Mu Xue's heart raced, and her eyes were practically sparkling as she looked at Lin Qingwan.
Granny Lai listened carefully from under the eaves, pouted and spat, thinking to herself that the young lady was right after all; those who grew up in the mountains were indeed full of scheming.
"Miss Qingwan."
Granny Lai was startled. When she turned around and saw Rong Ma, who was standing next to Madam Lin, she immediately tensed up. "Rong Ma, why did you come at this time?"
"Get out of my way." Rong's mother pushed the person aside.
Lin Qingwan had been getting along well with Rong Ma these past few days, and they were on good terms. Seeing Rong Ma's serious expression, she knew something had happened.
"Aunt Rong, what's wrong?"
Seeing that her hair and makeup were neat, Rong Ma said directly, "The Prime Minister wants you to go to the front hall."
On the way, Rong's mother explained the situation to Lin Qingwan in detail, and Lin Qingwan knew it wouldn't be a good thing.
Call her over; if she wants to leave, the blame will fall on her. If she doesn't want the things, the blame will still fall on her.
Upon arriving at the front hall, Jiang Zhenlin and Jiang Yanwan were waiting outside.
Jiang Zhenlin looked at Lin Qingwan with mixed feelings and said in a low voice, "This time is different from last time. You can't accept these things, do you understand?"
Lin Qingwan chuckled, "Young Master Jiang is really flattering me. Do you think I can make that decision?"
Jiang Zhenlin choked, a warning glint in his eyes, "If you refuse, at most you're being ungrateful, but if you covet those things, you'll lose your reputation!"
Seeing him grit his teeth, Lin Qingwan raised an eyebrow and said, "Wasn't my reputation ruined by Young Master Jiang the moment I got back?"
"You!" Jiang Zhenlin was immediately provoked by her, but the thought of the bamboo dragonfly made him suppress his anger.
Seeing this, Jiang Yanwan choked up and said, "Ah Lin didn't scare you. If you like those things, I have them in my room, you can take them all. Don't make things difficult for your parents."
Lin Qingwan thought to herself, "You've all gotten to do all the good work."
She went straight into the house, and Jiang Zhenlin punched the wall, yelling, "Idiot!"
After Lin Qingwan bowed, Jiang Su cut to the chase, bluntly telling her, "As the saying goes, one should not accept rewards without merit. You deserve to die for troubling the Prince so many times."
Steward Yan smiled and said, "Prime Minister, you flatter me. The Prince cares for the Jiang family and knows that the Second Miss has suffered outside, which is why he takes such good care of her."
"Second Miss, please thank me."
As soon as she finished speaking, several pairs of eyes stared at Lin Qingwan, feeling as if she were being pricked by needles.
Madam Lin said meaningfully, "Let the head steward take a look. Your hand is much better now. Don't worry the prince anymore."
Lin Qingwan took a deep breath and performed a proper kneeling bow, saying, "Qingwan thanks Your Highness for your great kindness."
"Hold!"
Jiang Zhenlin was furious. "She wants it again!"
Jiang Yanwan bit her lip, trying her best to suppress the urge to kill.
Jiang Su and Lin Shi personally saw Steward Yan off as he left the mansion.
Lin Qingwan had just stepped out the door when Jiang Zhenlin roared at her, "Do you want to kill your whole family?!"
“Who is Prince Jing? You dare to take his things?”
"Does the Prime Minister's mansion lack food and clothing? Why do you rush to grab anything you see?"
Jiang Zhenlin lost his temper as his eyes reddened, yelling, "Lin Qingwan, how could you be so shameless!"
Lin Qingwan felt a pang of pain in her heart. She looked around; it was happening in front of so many people again. Jiang Zhenlin's words were getting increasingly harsh.
The first time, she was warned to behave herself; the second time, she believed the old woman's words and was accused of stealing; the third time, she was criticized for making a mess of the house when she came back; and this time, she was called a slut.
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